CRES won’t impose curfew

BANGKOK, May 16 (TNA) – The government unit set up to handle the emergency situation has scrapped a plan to impose a curfew in parts of the capital as it sees no need to do so at the moment.

Lt-Gen Aksara Kerdphol, army assistant chief of staff, said on a television programme of the Center for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) that the agency opted to not effect a curfew although it can help officials to differentiate innocent people from terrorists or armed men.

If the curfew is imposed, it can affect people and their daily life, he said.

“CRES will not enforce the curfew as of now as the situation is still under control, but if there is a (unusual) situation or necessity, the centre will assess the situation and inform the public later,” Gen Aksara said.

Military operations to seal off the protest area in Ratchaprasong may affect residents in nearby areas and the army must apologise for that and call for the public to cooperate with officials. The safety of residents in the area is the priority in the military operations.

The confrontation between the army and protesters since Friday claimed 25 lives and has left 240 persons injured.

However, CRES extended the State of Emergency to cover five Northeastern provinces including Ubon Ratchathani, Maha Sarakham, Roi Et, Nong Bua Lam Phu and Sakon Nakhon.

Some Red Shirt supporters in Ubon Ratchathani Sunday burned tyres outside the city hall, Wing 21 Royal Thai Air Force base and the provincial NBT (National Broadcasting Services of Thailand) television station.

The CRES also declared Monday and Tuesday (May 17-18) public holidays as the military operation continues.

Pol Maj-Gen Prawut Thavornsiri, spokesman of the Operations Centre at the Royal Thai Police said the Police General Hospital was assigned to arrange medical mobile units to help protesters who have fallen ill.

The anti-government Red Shirt protesters have occupied Ratchaprasong intersection since April 3. Luxury hotels and high end shopping malls have been forced to close. (TNA)